Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Rigoletto', the tragic story of the eponymous hunchbacked court jester, is now published with the complete Italian libretto as well as the translation used by most German opera-houses, including numerous music examples. Kurt Pahlen comments on the work with music-related references as well explanations on the external and internal action. A summary of the plot and a brief outline of the genesis bring 'Rigoletto' into relation with the composer's entire oeuvre and his life, thus providing comprehensive, richly illustrated information on this opera.